Mental Retardation: Family Support Services

Raising a child who has been diagnosed with mental retardation is a daunting and exhausting task. There are many appointments to keep; families can easily become overwhelmed by the process of finding and funding appropriate services. They are faced with the stress of continually witnessing their loved one's struggles to complete everyday tasks, social interactions, and education. They must live with the knowledge that there will be no end in sight for these struggles. Family members with mental retardation diagnoses may require exceptional assistance for the duration of their lives. Finally, family members must also face their own troubling emotional reactions and adaptations to having a mentally retarded family member. Given the exceptional amount of stress involved in caring for mentally retarded family members, it should not come as a shock that families often need and benefit from outside support designed to help them cope.

Respite services are available in many communities for families with mentally retarded members. Most respite programs are provided through national organizations such as The Arc and the Easter Seal Society, or through schools, churches, and other non-profit groups. Respite services provide an opportunity for these families to take a break from their responsibilities. Typically, families are alloted up to four weeks of free respite services each year.

Respite providers meet with families and create routines for the family to follow in preparation for respite care. They also determine behavioral interventions that are appropriate for each case. Respite services can occur in the home or in a specialized respite care facility. Respite can involve having the mentally retarded family member stay overnight away from home. Alternatively, mentally retarded individuals may attend a camp and engage in therapeutic activities while their parents and siblings stay at home. Sometimes respite workers visit the family's home and provide an opportunity for caretakers to leave the home for a few hours. While respite services must usually be arranged in advance, some respite providers have provisions for emergency service requests.

In addition to respite services, some communities also provide crisis intervention services (emergency services) to help families deal with emergencies and extreme situations that may arise from time to time. Crisis services help ensure the safety of mentally retarded individuals and their families. Services are typically available around the clock and may involve mobile, "walk-in" intervention, telephone support, and crisis residential programs. Crisis residential programs (diversionary units) provide twenty four hour assistance to individuals in severe distress.